Shringar: Expressing Cultural Identity through an Indian Typeface
Anushka Vhatkar
The rituals of beautification practiced by generations of Indian women often transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. Drawing inspiration from this rich tradition of ornamentation, particularly the sixteen steps of Solah Shringar, Shringar reclaims space for feminine Indian aesthetics in contemporary design.
Shringar is a medium-contrast display serif that marries Western typographic structures with distinctly Indian sensibilities. Dots bloom like lotus flowers, terminals curve like an elephant's trunk, and decorative dingbats incorporate patterns from everyday Indian life. These transformations reinterpret the overlooked artistry behind spaces often embellished by women.
The typeface’s short x-height, balanced stress, and decorative elements celebrate cultural traditions while developing them into a systematic Latin script. By formalizing ephemeral cultural elements, Shringar preserves aspects of Indian visual heritage and honors agency, artistry, and self-expression.
The Solah Shringar specimen book illustrates the sixteen steps of beautification traditionally practiced by Hindu women in North India to a broader audience. The inter-generational dialogue specimens amplify voices that have historically remained unheard. Through a progression of postcards, letters, and digital communications, these dialogues reveal women’s lived experiences with beautification across eras.
Ultimately, Shringar invites viewers to reconsider what Indian typography can look like in a globalized context. The result is both a functional tool and a cultural artifact: one that honors feminine Indian aesthetics while creating something distinctly new.